Factor V Leiden plus high LDL cholesterol exponentially increases atherosclerosis

[Tranquility1]

Article: "they found that the risk of carotid atherosclerosis rose exponentially with increasing serum LDL cholesterol concentrations in nondiabetics with the factor V Leiden gene variant."

That's me.

-FVL heterozygote.

- I'm not a diabetic.

- I have high LDL. Most troubling is my very high VLDL-3 (which is the worst of the LDL's and a great predictor of coronary issues).

So having high LDL is enough to give one arthersclerosis. However, coupling that with not having diabetes and having Factor V Leiden exponentially increases the athersclerosis.

My cartiologist and my hematologist surely don't know about this study. They continue to tell me that having FVL doesn't increase athersclerosis. Yet, both doctors know I have high LDL. I will nicely make them aware of the study of the combined impact of FVL and high LDL (with no diabetes).

medwirenews.com/news/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/159...

Here in the U.S., doctors are starting to rely heavily on the VAP blood test that breaks down the general LDL into various parts (some much worse than others). That is the blood test that shows my very high VLDL-3. Specifically, "VLDL3 is smaller and is a greater risk factor for heart disease." For high VLDL-3, this lab recommends: " Choose: omega-3 fatty acids, high-fiber foods. Limit: refined carbs, alcohol. Stop: smoking." atherotech.com/images/vapli...

While the VAP blood test is the new standard, I am sure something else that is better will push it out of the way and future generations will laugh at how backwards we are. My kids already do.

[MaryF Administrator]

An awful of people with Hughes Syndrome/APS have a Thyroid problem, time and time again this is not picked up due to unreliable tests and narrow banding in the first place. If your Thryoid is not treated this can cause a real problem with cholesterol. MaryF

[Tranquility1]

(updated to get link right)

I'm slowly getting through the fog. Thanks Mary. I can have basic thyroid tests come back normal and still have issues.

My basic thryoid tests came back normal as follows:

Tsh- 2.100 - (normal range 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL)

T3 Uptake - 28 - (24-39%)

Thyroxine (T4) - 7.0 - (4.5-12.0 ug/dL)

Free Thyroxine Index - 2.0 - (1.2-4.9)

I just went back and saw APsnotFab post on this. Thanks APsnotFab. Detailed tests for thyroid that are more specific include: FT3, FT4, Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibody, Antithyroglobulin Antibody, and Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin.

For those in the U.S. who have insurance requiring that blood tests must be done by LabCorp, here are what I believe are the blood tests that combined will include the above. I know my doctors prefer when I come in with the LabCorp numbers (it makes their lives easier when they have no idea of what I am talking about. ) In addition, I'm going to print out the link that APsnotFab provided (link:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

and bring it along with the tests print outs that I would like.

1) Thyroid Antibodies Test

Test Number: 006684 (CPT Codes: 86376 and 86800)

Link: labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/...

2) Thyroid-stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI)

Test Number: 140749 (CPT Code: 84445)

Link: labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/...

3) Triiodothyronine (T3), Free, Serum

Test Number: 010389 (CPT Code: 84481)

Link: labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/...

4) Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Free T4

Test Number: 224576 (CPT Codes: 84439 and 84443)

labcorp.com/wps/portal/!ut/...

[MaryF Administrator in reply to Tranquility1]

pmj.bmj.com/content/75/886/...

MaryF

[Tranquility1 in reply to MaryF]

Interesting. Thank you!

[Lure2]

Hi Try to Control your bloodpressure if it is high. I take Simvastatin 10 mg for high LDL and it has lowered my cholesterol a lot. Hope your doctor will understand APS. List your symptoms. Then you will notice if he understands.

Best of luck from Kerstin

[Tranquility1 in reply to Lure2]

My blood pressure is not generally high (unless I haven't been exercising daily).

If I push myself during a bout of huge fatigue (meaning I don't go to bed but instead go to pick up a child or do the dishes) where I feel like I need to lay down or I'm going to die (which is not true, but it feels like it) -- during those times, just walking up a flight of stairs to bed sends my blood pressure sky high.

[Lure2 in reply to Tranquility1]

Are you sure? Do you cheque your blood-pressure? Exercising usually lower bloodpressure. For me at least.

Kerstin

[Lure2 in reply to Tranquility1]

Yes you are right there. If you are tired to death it might be a challenge with the stairs. It is important to take the time to rest perhaps only for 10 minutes. You feel so refreshed afterwards. Have you tried and noticed?

Best of luck.

Kerstin

[Tranquility1]

When I was young I used to have low low blood pressure. Now that I am older and heavier, its normal blood pressure. The only time I get high blood pressure is when I have the flu or push myself during a bout of fatigue.